title: Functionalized low defect graphene nanoribbons and polyurethane composite film for improved gas barrier and mechanical performances.
abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite film containing hexadecyl-functionalized low-defect graphene nanoribbons (HD-GNRs) was produced by solution casting. The HD-GNRs were well distributed within the polyurethane matrix, leading to phase separation of the TPU. Nitrogen gas effective diffusivity of TPU was decreased by 3 orders of magnitude with only 0.5 wt % HD-GNRs. The incorporation of HD-GNRs also improved the mechanical properties of the composite films, as predicted by the phase separation and indicated by tensile tests and dynamic mechanical analyses. The improved properties of the composite film could lead to potential applications in food packaging and lightweight mobile gas storage containers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, and the §Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Rice University , 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States.
authors.forename: Changsheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Paris J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Akos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kukovecz
authors.forename: Bostjan
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authors.lastname: Genorio
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Hashim
authors.forename: Zheng
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authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Zhiwei
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authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Chih-Chau
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Gedeng
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authors.lastname: Ruan
authors.forename: Errol L G
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.forename: Parambath M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Sudeep
authors.forename: Zoltan
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authors.lastname: Konya
authors.forename: Robert
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authors.lastname: Vajtai
authors.forename: Pulickel M
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authors.lastname: Ajayan
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Tour